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Primary Processing

Primary processing belts need to be hard-wearing and highly resistant to casing and flavouring liquids. They should also be low noise, easy to clean and deliver a long service life.

At Ammeraal Beltech, we have belts with all these characteristics and more; belts with high friction and low friction coefficients, with profiled surfaces, with operating angles of up to 40°, able to trough and with the high lateral flexibility to prevent tobacco dust from spilling.

Conditioning and Flavoring

In this step, the slices are taken on incline conveyors to the first DCC (Drum Condition Cylinder). Here the brittle leaves are treated with heat and steam to make them flexible again. Additional fluids (to add flavors) may also be present.

Main challenges

Delamination of the belt can occur

Heat can shorten belt lifetime

Solutions

Amtel belt lamination is not affected by application temperatures or humidity levels

Scanning and Sorting

During Green Leaf Processing, NTM (Non-Tobacco Material) has already been manually removed. In Primary Processing, companies are using high-tech scanner equipment for the smallest bits. Detection is based on differences in material structure and color.

Main challenges

Discoloration of the belt over time

Color mismatch issues

Solutions

Ammeraal Beltech has color-fast belts for this application

Poliflex and Polikleen belts have stable standard colors for different processing requirements

Stem Feeding

The feeder belt is used to carry the tobacco to the blending silo conveyors.

Main challenges

Perforated belts can snag and tear

Solutions

Ammeraal Beltech’s solid-carcass polyester belt won’t tear

Blending

The mixing of different types of tobacco according to precise recipes to produce a characteristic, homogeneous blend.

Main challenges

Tracking issues at the shuttle belt above the silo

Too much sticking tobacco on the silo belt (chain or drum-driven solution)

Cutting

Blended tobacco is cut into fine strands. During this step, a significant amount of tobacco fluids are released from the leaves.

Main challenges

Tobacco builds up very quickly on the belt

Tobacco fluids penetrate the belt surface

Solutions

The Ammeraal Beltech Polikleen Belt resists build-up and absorption

Silo Feeder

For this application, a proper belting system design is paramount: the belt runs bi-directionally on a rail system.

Main challenges

Mistracking

Solutions

A positive drive Ultrasync or Volta solution will help prevent mistracking

Silos for Blending and Storage

The final step for Primary Processing is storing the cut tobacco in silos, which can be either drum-driven or chain-driven. All the silos run very slowly and the lifetime of these belts is long (10+ years).

Main challenges

Tobacco adhering to belt

Sourcing belts that are wide enough

Solutions

Impregnated silo belts counteract tobacco build-up

Solutions for both drum-driven and chain-driven systems come in widths up to 196"

Side Skirt Material and Curtains

Throughout Primary Processing, conveyors have tobacco-proof side skirt material (to avoid tobacco ending up between the belt and the conveyor) and curtains (to avoid pollution).

Contact Form

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*Recommended Products are some examples of our solutions in a specific process. Consult your local Ammeraal Beltech expert to determine the most appropriate belt type, color and material combination for your specific requirements and local stock availability.